BIRDWOOD'S VISIT.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 187, 8 August 1919, Page 5

BIRDWOOD'S VISIT.

EXTENSION TO NEW ZEALAND. LEAVING LONDON IN OCTOBER. (Received 10.40 a.m.) LONDON, August 7. General Sir Wm. Birdwood, the "Soul of Anzac," will leave London for Australia by the Orvieto on October 17. His wife and daughter will accompany him. Mr. G. F. Pcarce and his family will also sail by the Orvieto. The New Zealand Government is not officially aware of General Birdwood's visit to Australia, but it is considered certain that New Zealand will prose for a visit. Interviewed, the general said that he expected that his visit would occupy six months. He goes as Officer-Commanding the Australian Force. He dreads the speech-making, but is delighted at the opportunity of meeting comrades who fought with such courage and endurance. (A. and N.Z. Cable,) ~ .. INVIDIOUS DISTINCTION WITH OTHER CORPS LEADERS. INDIGNANT AUSTRALIANS. (Beccived 1.20 p.m.) LONDON, August 7. The Australian Press Association correspondent interviewed prominent Australian officers, who said that invidious distinction against Birdwood in the war rewards had aroused acute indignation throughout the Australian Force. It was felt that the only reason for the discrimination was General Birdwood's whole-hearted championing of the Australians throughout the campaigns of Gallipoli and the West front. The fact that he was overlooked in the honours after the evacuation of Gallipoli has already been brought under attention. It must be admitted that of the five army commanders now rewarded, Birdwood received his army command most recently, but seniority had not been the guiding factor. General Birdwood stands third out of four in seniority. The other four received peerages and £30,000, while Birdwood received a baronetcy and £10,000, was not sufficient to account for the difGeneral Birdwood had a difficult task in reorganising the Fifth Army after the German break through, although he was engaged in little fighting thereafter compared with the strenuous earlier period. The discrimination has caused surprise in British Army circles, because it perpetuates the memory of the Fli'h Army's catastrophe before General Binlwood was given command. —(A. and N.Z. Cable.)